Field buttercup (Ranunculus arvensis, Sp. Pl.: 555 (1753))

Family: Ranunculaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 555 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ranunculus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to C. Asia and Himalaya, N. Africa

Description

The Field Buttercup, scientifically known as Ranunculus arvensis, is a captivating plant that belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. Described by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this species holds a venerable place in the history of botany.

Native to a wide geographical range, the Field Buttercup can be found flourishing across Europe, central Asia, the Himalayas, and North Africa. This resilience and adaptability to various climates and terrains attest to the plant’s robust nature and its significant ecological presence.

Field Buttercups are easily recognized by their bright yellow flowers, which bloom prolifically in open fields and meadows. These flowers, typically characterized by five petals, not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of their natural habitats but also play a vital role in supporting local ecosystems. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are frequent visitors, making the Field Buttercup a crucial player in the maintenance of biodiversity.

Aside from their ecological importance, Field Buttercups have also been studied for their distinct biochemical properties. While the plant is known to contain toxic compounds, historically, it has been used in traditional herbal remedies, albeit with caution due to its potential toxicity when consumed improperly.

In summary, Ranunculus arvensis or the Field Buttercup, stands out as a remarkable species with a rich background in botanical literature. Its extensive distribution across diverse continents, coupled with its significant role in local ecosystems, underscores its botanical and environmental importance.

Common Names

Deu: acker-hahnenfuß, ackerhahnenfuss
Dan: ager-ranunkel
Eng: corn buttercup, corn crowfoot, field buttercup
Lit: dirvinis vėdrynas
Spa: ranunculo campestre
Nld: akkerboterbloem
Ces: iskerník rolný, praskyřník rolní
Swe: peltoleinikki, åkerranunkel
Fin: peltoleinikki
Nno: piggsoleie
Nob: piggsoleie
Fra: renoncule des champs
Lav: tīruma gundega
Cym: blodyn-ymenyn yr ŷd, crafanc yr ŷd, crafanc-fran yr ŷd, egyllt balloglys, egyllt draenoglys, egyllt newynog, egyllt yr ŷd
En: Field buttercup, Corn buttercup, Corn crowfoot, European field buttercup, Hunger weed, Hungerweed
Ar: زغلنته (زَغَلَنته), حوذان حقلي
Hy: Գորտնուկ դաշտային
Ca: Ranuncle arvense
Zh: 田野毛茛
Cs: Pryskyřník rolní, Iskerník rolný, Praskyřník rolní
Da: Ager-ranunkel
Nl: Akkerboterbloem
Eo: Kampa ranunkolo
Et: Põldtulikas
Fi: Peltoleinikki
Fr: Renoncule des champs, Chausse-trape des blés, Chausse-trappe des blés
De: Acker-Hahnenfuß, Ackerhahnenfuß, Ackerhahnenfuss
He: נורית השדה
Hu: Vetési boglárka
It: Ranuncolo dei campi
Lv: Tīruma gundega
Li: Akkerbótterbloom
Lt: Dirvinis vėdrynas
Nb: Piggsoleie
Nn: Piggsoleie
Fa: آلاله صحرایی
Pl: Jaskier polny
Sk: Iskerník roľný
Es: Ranunculo campestre, Gata rabiosa, Hierba del amor, Ranunculo, Ranúnculo de campo
Sv: Åkerranunkel, Peltoleinikki
Tr: Mustafaçiçeği
Wa: Boton d’ ôr
Cy: Blodyn-ymenyn yr ŷd, Crafanc yr Ŷd, Crafanc-Fran yr Ŷd, Egyllt Balloglys, Egyllt Draenoglys, Egyllt Newynog, Egyllt yr Ŷd

Synonyms

• Ranunculus arvensis var. multiplex (N.H.F.Desp.)
• Ranunculus arvensis var. inermis (W.D.J.Koch)
• Ranunculus arvensis var. reticulatus ((Regel & J.Schmitz ex Seub.) Rouy & Foucaud)
• Hericinia arvensis ((L.) Fourr.)
• Ranunculus arvensis var. echinatissimus ((Blatt.) Qureshi & Chaudhri)
• Cynomorbium heterophyllum (Opiz)
• Ranunculus curvirostratus (Bertol.)
• Ranunculus arvensis subsp. tuberculatus (Arcang.)
• Ranunculus arvensis f. radicans (Johanss.)
• Ranunculus segetalis (Kit. ex Uechtr.)
• Ranunculus arvensis f. tuberculatus ((W.D.J.Koch) Bolzon)
• Ranunculus echinatissimus (Blatt.)
• Pachyloma arvense ((L.) Spach)
• Ranunculus fernandezii (Blatt.)
• Ranunculus arvensis var. tuberculatus ((Kit. ex Hornem.) W.D.J.Koch)
• Pfundia arvensis ((L.) Opiz)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• India (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Oman (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken May 13, 2021 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2021 by claude lerat -gentet Mme (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2020 by Dominik Zentgraf (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2020 by Thibaut Durr (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2020 by Bilal Bilal Ahmad Shiekh (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 20, 1996 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2021 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2021 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Laurent PETIT (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 1996 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 24, 2021 by Perrina Paola (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2017 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 20, 1996 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2016 by Manuel Solis (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by Elyas Rezaei (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2021 by claude lerat -gentet Mme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2020 by Shania M (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 12, 1998 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by alexandre maccaud (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2017 by Isabelle Ribaute (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 26, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3033348)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:712240-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ranunculus arvensis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 6